Building structure



June 21, 1932- F. M. vENzlE BUILDING STRUCTURE Filed April 14, 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet l I ZINVKENTOR; Z9 F/Pfafmwf wz/E C j ATORNEY June 21, 1932. F, Mv VENZH; 1,863,734

' BUILDING STRUCTURE Filed April 14, 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 f' E l l 393V W A Y @Y u'ys/)f ATTORNEY. l

lof the spoke of a wheel.

" stamped from a single blank Patented .lune 2l, 1932 UNITED srA'rss e'rsN'r orales BUILDING STRUCTURE Appncation filed Aprn i4,

This invention, generally stated, relates to a building structure and has more especial relation to a floor construction.

One object of the present invention is to provide a floor construction in whichv pre-cast slabs of cementitious material may be manufactured at a central plant and shipped to point of erection, whereby unskilled labor may assemble the slabs expeditiously tothus lessen the erection costs of a building structure. Y

Another object of the present invention is to provide a. novel form of Hoor slab in which it is necessary in erection or placing of floor slabs to have the floor members accurately spaced.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a floor construction in which substantially square floor slabs are reinforced both laterally and longitudinally considered throughout the length and breadth of a building structure. 1

A still further object of the presentv invention is to provide a. pre-cast slab which has embedded therein a reinforcement symbolic A still further object of the present invention is to provide a floor construction made up of pre-cast square slabs which may be so arranged as to accept novel forms of metal clips for tying or coupling together adjacent corners of said slabs.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a novel form of metal. clip and having lugs or ngers extended therefrom to engage recessed portions of floor slabs including their reinforcements to interlock the slabs.

Other and further objects of the present invention reside in the provision of general details of construction and in the arrangement, combination, and connection of parts for attaining the results sought by the fore` going objects. Y

The invention consists of the novel con- 1931. Serial No. 529,916.

struction hereinafter described and finally claimed.

The nature, characteristic features, and scope ofthe invention will be more fully understood from the following description taki taken in connection with the accompanying drawings forming part hereof, and in which Fig. l is a view principally in section of an arrangement of floor slabs embodying the invention Fig. 2 is a view in plan of one of the floor slabs detached;

Fig. 3 is a view in plan illustrating the manner of tying or coupling together a group o r series ofiloor slabs embodying the invention;

Fig. L is a fragmentary view in plan illustrating floor slabs as coupled together at their nlreeting corners by means of my novel metal C 1P;

Fig. 5 is an edge view of a portion of slab showing in detail the clip accommodating recess;

Fig. 6 is a view in perspective of the corner clip shown in Fig. 4;

F ig. 7 is a similar View of a novel form of Y clip for coupling together adjacent sides of ioor slabs; y

Fig. 8 is a view in plan illustrating a modified form of the invention shown in Fig. 3, omitting, however, the dotted lines showing the spoke-like arrangement of reinforcement;

Fig. 9 is an edge view of Fig. 8;

Fig. l0 is a similar view, viewed from the i left hand side of Fig. 8;

Fig.v 1l is a fragmentary View in section illustrating Va detail of construction; and

Fig. l2 is a similar view illustrating still further details of construction.

For the purpose of illustrating my invention I have shown in the accompanying drawingsl forms thereof whichare at present preferred by me, since the same have been found V in practice to give satisfactory and reliable shown and described.

t a slab 'in all directions.

Referring to the drawings in detail, and with particular Vreferencey to Figs. 1 to 7 the reference numeral 10 designates spaced floor members, as I-beams, which according to the present invention are accurately spaced. rllhe Y reference numeral 11 designates pre-cast floor slabs of cementitious material of rectangular configuration and in practice are square, as.

illustrated. Inmolding or casting the floor slabs 11 vI embed therein a reinforcement which is of the general configuration of spokes of a wheel. Extending from opposite corners of a slab and crossing one another di agonally at the slab center are Hat strips 12 ofthin metal. At each corner of a slab these'v strips 12 are slotted asat 13 and insecured position the strips 12 form a substantially X- shaped arrangement ofparts. Embedded in each slab are other metal strips designated 14 which are diametrically arranged with respect to -a slab to form a cross-shaped arrangement of parts. In practice the strips 14 are arranged in a plane above the diagonal strips 12, and extend from side to side of aslab. These strips 12 also are slotted at their extremities as at 15. The strips 12 and 14 intersect each other at the slab center and are secured together by means of a rivet 16, thus forming a structure of the general configuration of spokes of Embedded in a slab and connecting the outer ends of strips 12 are wires 17, which wires pass beneath the outer ends of strips 14, thus making foran interconnected or interlaced arrangement of parts best seen in Fig. 2. The slabs are bevelled as at 16, see Fig. 5, and the bevelled surface at each corner of a slab is provided with a cutaway vertical'portion 19 into which project the slotted ends of the diagonal strips 12. Each.citt-away7 portion 19 has at its bottom a somewhat tapered recess 20 to accept the tapered prong of a corner clip 21 best seen in Fig. 6, and to be presently described in detail. Intermediate the corner cut-away portions 19 are other cutaway portions 22 into which project the slotted ends of therstrips 14, whereby adjacent slabs may be coupled or tied together by means of clips 23, best seen in Fig. 7, and which will be presently described in detail.` In assembling the floor slabs the same are positioned upon the floor beams 10 with their bevelled edges uppermost, as best seen in Fig. 1: In this position the meeting corners of the slabs are so arranged that the cut-away portions 19 of the respective slabs form a substantially P-shaped configuration, as best seen in Fig. l4. I then tie a wheel to reinforce Y or couple together the diagonal strips 12 by means of corner clips stamped from a single blank of metal, and comprised of a flat, hori- Zontal plate 24, depending from which are prongs or fingers 25', four in number, arranged diametrically opposite one another and each having a bevelled edge 26 and an undercut edge 27. In practice the prongs or fingers 25 engage the recesses 2O of the openings 18 of a slab and the bevelled and undercut edges of a finger serve to provide a wedgelike portiony for efficient Aengagement with a recessed corner part of a slab, it being understood that the fingers of the clip pass through theslots of the stripsi12. In order to tie or couple together the sides of adjacent slabs I make use of the clip shown in Fig. 7 which comprises an integral, stamped metal member having a right-angle upper portion 28 having pendant fingers 29, the inner edges of each finger being bevelled at 30 and undercut at 31. The lingers 29 arey introducedthrough the slotted portions 15 of the bars 14 of the slabs vand co-act with said bars in wedge like fashion to form an efficient interlock.

, From the above Vdescription it is apparent that efciently reinforced square floor slabs may be tied vor coupled together both longi-v tudinally and laterally of a building structure to interlock the slabs in such manner that even though the floor beams are equally spaced to permit adjacent edges of compan-` ion floor slabs torest upon the floor beams. the efficient interlock of slabs overcomes this defect.

After the slabs arey positioned upon the fioor beams 10 the spacebetween adjacent slabs is filled in .with cementitious material and in the connection it is to be noted that the side walls of the slabs are grooved upon all sides so that when the cementitious material is filled in a key is providedbetween adjacent slabs so that the cementitious material cannot be dislodged.

Referring now to the modified form of construction seen in Figs. 8 to 12 inclusive, the principle is the same as that previouslydescribed, and in the Vmain the construction of parts is similar in most respects. In Fig. 8 I have omitted showing in dotted lines the embedded metal strips 12 and 14, but the construction issimilarin allY respects to that'dis closed inFig. 2. In Fig. 8 the floor slabs11 are provided with spaced projections 35t and 36, which Y are formedY integrally with i the slabs, as best seen in Fig.11. The projections 35 and 36 are notched as at 37 in opposed relation so that when cementitious material is poured between adjacent slabsthe cement-iftious material enters `the notches to form a 3 5 bond between adjacent slabs. These notches are arranged in the bevelled faces of the slabs. The projections 35 upon their perpendicular faces are also notchedat 38, see Figs. 11 and 12, for the accommodation of wires 39 which (LTI Wires lO instead of extending entirely across' a building structure are relatively short and are secured to the projections 36 by means of nails 4l or equivalent fastening mediums, see Fig. 10. These Wires 40 pass over the Wires 39, as clearly shown in Fig. 8, and serve to effectively tie together adjacent slabs ll considered transversely of a building in contradistinction to longitudinally of a building.

It is to be understood that the cancellation or amendment of any claim to change the phraseology more clearly to define the construction or to meet the views of the Examiner is not to be construed as a Waiver of any rights Which applicant may hereafter desire to assert in case of any future litigation on the patent eventuating out of this application.

What is claimed is:

l. In a floor structure of the character` stated, loor members, substantially square, pre-cast floor slabs of cementitious material arranged upon said floor members side to side in abutting relation, the sides of said floor slabs having vertical grooves therein at each corner thereof and upon their sides intermediate said corners, radially arranged metal strips embedded in each slab, said strips having slotted ends projected into said grooves, and metal clips for coupling said floor slabs together, each clip comprising a flat plate having extended therefrom at right angles pendant lingers for engaging the slotted ends of said strips as projected into the grooves of said slabs, and means for securing said radially arranged strips at their central intersections.

2. In a floor structure of the character stated, floor members, substantially square pre-cast floor slabs of cementitious material arranged upon said floor members side to side in abutting relation, the sides of said floor slabs having vertical grooves therein at each corner thereof and upon their sides intermediate said corners, metal strips embedded Ain each slab, said strips having slotted ends projected into said grooves, and metal clips for coupling said floor slabs together, each clip comprising a flat plate having extended therefrom at right angles pendant fingers for engaging the slotted ends of said strips as projected into the grooves of said slabs, and tie Wires embedded in said slab connecting the slotted ends of said strips together.

3. In a floor construction of the character stated, floor members, substant-ially square pre-cast slabs of cementitious material arranged upon said floor members side to side in abutting relation, the sides of said floor slabs being bevelled and having-vertical grooves therein at each corner and also intermediate said corner grooves, radially arranged metal strips embedded in each slab, said strips having slotted ends projectedV into said vertical grooves, metal clips .connecting adjacent slabs at each cornerthrough said slotted strips, and other metal clips connecting the slotted ends of said:` strips through said intermediate grooves.

4. In a floor construction of the character stated, floor members, substantially square pre-cast slabs of cementitious` material ar.- ranged upon said floor members side to side in abutting relation, the sides of said floor slabsbeing bevelled and having vertical grooves therein at each corner and also intermediate said corner grooves, radially arranged metal strips. embedded in each slab, said strips having slotted ends projected into said vertical grooves, metal clips connecting adjacent slabsat each corner through said slotted strips, other metal clips connecting the slotted ends of said strips through said intermediate grooves, and a rivet connecting said radially arranged strips at their central intersection. Y

5. In a floor construction of the character stated, floor members, substantially square pre-cast slabs of cementitious material arranged upon said floor members side to side in abutting relation, the sides of said floor ym0 slabs being bevelled and having vertical grooves therein at each corner and also intermediate said corner grooves, radially arranged metal strips embedded in each slab, said strips having slotted ends projected into said vertical grooves, metal clips connecting adjacent slabs ateach corner through said slotted strips, other metal clips connecting the `slotted ends of said strips through said intermediate grooves, a rivet connecting 'i110 said radially arranged strips vattheir central intersection, and tie Wires connecting the slotted ends of said strips. j

6. In a Hoor structure of the character' stated, floor members, substantially square,-n

pre-cast slabs of cementitious material arranged upon said ioor members side to side in abutting relation, the sides of said slabs having vertical grooves therein at each cor-KV ner thereof and upon their sides intermediate said corners, metal'strips embeddedk in each slab, metal clips for couplingsaid slabs together: through the medium of said strips, projections upon the sides of saidslabs, andr Wires extending both laterally and longitu-` dinally of said slabs connecting with said projections for tying said slabs together.

In a floor structure of the character stated, floor members, substantially square,

pre-cast slabs of cementitious materiall ar-f '5 said corners, metal ranged upon said floor members side to. side in'abutting relation, the sides of said slabs having vertical grooves therein at each corner thereof and upon their sides intermediate strips embedded in. each slab, said strips having slotted ends projected into said grooves, metal clips for coupling said slabs together, each clip comprising a flatl plate having extended therefrom at right 'toni laterally and longitudinally of Sala slabs for tying same together. Y

8. In a structure of the character stated, floor members, substantially square, precast slabs of cementitious materialarranged upon said loor members side to side in abutting relation, the sides ofl said slabs khaving vertical grooves therein at each corner thereof and upon their sides intermediate said corners, radially arranged metal strips embedded in each slab, said strips having slotted ends projected into said grooves, metal clips for coupling saidslabs together, each clip comprising a flat plate having extended therefrom at right angles pendant fingers vfor engaging the slotted ends of said strips as projected into the grooves of said slabs, and Wires arranged both laterally and longitudinally of said slabs for tying the same together, said Wires being arranged in diierent planes With one set crossing over another set. Y

9. In a structure of the character stated, floor members, substantially square, pre-cast slabs of cementitious material arranged upon said floor members side to side in abutting relation, the sides ofsaid slabs having vertical grooves therein at each corner thereof and upon their sides intermediate said oorners, radially arranged metal strips embedded in each slab, said'st'rips having slotted ends projected into said grooves, metal clips -or coupling said slabs together, each clip com- Vprising a liat plate having extended there'- rom at right angles pendant lingers for engaging the slotted ends of said strips as project ed into the grooves of said slabs, grooved projections upon the slab sides, and Wires arranged at right angles to one another for tying said slabs to ether, said `Wires being accommodated in t jections. l y- 10. ln a structure ofthecharacter stated, floor members, substantially squareprecast slabs of cementitious material arranged upon said floor vmembers side to side inv abutting relation, the sides-of said slabs having vertical grooves therein at each corner thereoi` ners, metal strips embedded in each slab, said strips having slotted ends projected into said grooves, Ymetal clips for coupling said slabs together, eachfolip comprising, a flat plate *Y 5- having' extended therefrom at 'right angles angles pendant fingers for engaging the l 1 and upon their sides intermediatesaid cor- Y thereto pendant slotted ends of said strips as projected into the grooves of said slabs, projections upon ngersV for engaging the the sides of said slabs, Wires connecting with 1 Y FREDERICK M. VENZIE,

e grooves of said'prol 

